Religious Studies and Education Certificate

The Religious Studies and Education Certificate is jointly sponsored by HDS and Harvard Extension School, and is designed to provide educators with a multidisciplinary foundation for approaching the study of religion in public school classrooms or in other educational settings focused on learning about religion.

Extension School students can earn the certificate through coursework taken solely through the Extension School. HDS students can earn the certificate in the context of their regular HDS degree program.

Certificate courses

For HDS students, the certificate is awarded upon the completion of five courses:

RELI E-2000 Methods in Religious Studies and Education: Integrating the Study of Religion into Curricula (offered through Harvard Extension School). The Extension School will offer a tuition waiver to HDS students who enroll in this course. Contact Professor Diane Moore, Religious Studies and Education Certificate director, for more information about the tuition waiver.

Elective Courses

Three HDS elective courses with a cultural studies focus. Courses applying toward the certificate are designated annually by Professor Moore. View a list of HDS courses that count as electives toward the certificate.

A minimum grade of B is required in all Religious Studies and Education Certificate courses.

Requesting the certificate

There is no preliminary application process. Within two weeks after the final grade in the fifth course is recorded, a student completes a certificate request form through Harvard Extension School, which will review and approve the request. (Retroactive certificates are not awarded.) Once the request is approved a printed certificate is issued, and will be noted on the student's HDS transcript.

HDS Voices

HDS Career Services went above and beyond to help me navigate my job search journey. From providing me with résumé feedback and helping me craft my first cover letter, they offered guidance and services throughout the process. I felt particularly supported when they arranged a mock committee-style interview. The time, energy, and thoughtfulness they put into preparing me for that interview was immensely helpful and touching.—Teresa Coda, MDiv '14More on Career Services